The PharmGuard « isystem is a
thermoelectric based system for controlling
the temperature of EMS drug storage cabinets
and containers.

The PharmGuard « is powered by 12
Volts DC and consumes a maximum of 5 amps or
60 watts of electrical power when running at
full output. The PharmGuard« 150
draws 9.8 Amps of current at full output.
The PharmGuard « systems can be
supplied with a custom power supply that
provides electrical power from both the
120-volt shoreline connection as well as 12
volts DC from the vehicle electrical system.
The power supply automatically switches from
the shore line power to the vehicle's power
supply when the 120-volt AC shoreline is
disconnected. Power consumption is
significantly lower after the temperature
inside the cabinet or container stabilizes.

The PharmGuard « provides cooling
when the ambient temperature exceeds 75║ F
and maintains the internal temperature of
the drug storage container to approximately
75║ F or 23║ C. When the ambient temperature
drops below 59║ F or 15║ C the system
provides controlled heating to maintain the
temperature at 59║ F or 15║ C. When
temperatures are between 59║ F / 15║ C and
75║ F / 23║ C the system provides only air
circulation inside the drug storage cabinet.
In this mode of operation the system draws
minimal electrical current (< 1/3 amp).

The PharmGuard « has no user
controls. It switches from cooling to
heating modes automatically. The system has
only one moving part, a small fan to
circulate air thru the storage container.
Temperature is sensed with a medical grade
sensor and each unit has an integrated
digital thermometer for easy temperature
monitoring. The system uses an all-solid
state design for reliable service and a long
life. Proven digital control technologies
are utilized to insure accurate
temperatures, stability and reliability.

When installed as a retrofit or in a new
vehicle, the PharmGuard «
temperature control system can be mounted
thru the wall of the drug storage cabinet
and is approximately 5.75 inches wide, 6
inches long and 3 inches high, slightly
larger than a box of gloves. The PharmGuard
« is designed to control the
temperature of a well insulated drug storage
cabinet no larger than 3.5 cubic feet. The
PharmGuard « 150 is designed to
work with cabinets as large as 7.0 cubic
feet in volume. The system is designed to
provide temperature control for EMS
pharmaceuticals only. If your drug storage
cabinets are used to store electronic
equipment such as battery chargers, radios,
or other heat producing items, these items
will need to be stored separately from the
pharmaceuticals. The system requires a
well-insulated cabinet for proper
operation. Do not expect the PharmGuard
« to provide adequate temperature
control to an oversized cabinet or one with
uninsulated metal or clear acrylic doors.

Each
unit has an integrated digital
thermometer for easy monitoring of
the temperature

PharmGuard
« mounted on an EMS Drug
Storage Cabinet

Inside
view of an insulated drug storage
cabinet. PharmGuard «
can be seen on side cabinet wall

Temperature recordings (Blue) from
the inside of an insulated mock up
of an ambulance drug storage cabinet
compared to the outside ambient air
temperature (Red) . Temperature
readings were made from June 1, 2002
through August 25, 2002 at 60 minute
intervals.